The Lindy Intensive
The JAzz & Lindy weekend
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Combined Solo Jazz and Lindy Workshop.
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So you are leading and following but are you really dancing?
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There is a big difference between merely executing the movements of a lead/follow partnership, and truly dancing. We can all see it in others and feel it in ourselves.
The only way to improve your dancing within any partner dance, is to focus on YOUR DANCING. That is why we have created this combined summer course.
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Themes will link the solo and partner classes so we encourage you to do both, but each can be taken on its own.
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Ask Yourself...
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Do you want to move your body better when you dance?
Do you fudge your footwork?
Do you struggle to comfortably dance Lindy when the music gets faster? Perhaps turning to Balboa?
Do your movements sometimes feel rigid on the dance floor?
Are you a partner dancer who wants to try solo jazz?
Are you fed up of trying to dance like someone else?
Is your swing dancing recognisable as jazz movement?
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This combined course is for you!
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Lindy Hop is Jazz, Jazz is Lindy Hop. They are one and the same. Jazz will unlock your individuality in this dance whilst rooting you to the origins of this style. You can achieve both - but you must work towards it.
This journey can start here.
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If you were to film yourself social dancing, and then digitally remove your partner, would your movements still look like dancing?
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This weekend course has been specifically structured to work on you as a whole dancer - whether you consider yourself more of a social partner dancer or solo Jazz dancer. Ultimately - Dancing is dancing.
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Lana says; If you can find the freedom of rhythm and self in your dancing, even while executing the most challenging Lindy Hop movements, then you are well on your way to understanding what dancing Jazz is all about.
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The Courses
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Solo Jazz Track.
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Within the solo jazz track we will work on the quality of your dance movements. We will look at techniques that will not only improve your solo dance but your footwork and body movements within your partner dancing. We will explore how your body naturally wants to move - there is not just one way to dance Lindy hop or jazz, but in order to find the way that best suits you, you need to understand your body and how it wants to naturally move.
We will work on…
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Propulsive rhythms and syncopations in footwork.
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Classic and authentic Jazz steps.
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Eccentric Jazz movements.
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Quality of ones personal movement within dancing.
All of this will be structured within the framework of vernacular jazz movement (the cultural movement of jazz), with a freedom to explore who you are as a dancer too.
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Partner Lindy Hop Track
(In connection with Swing Dance Bristol)
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We will be working on fundamental movements of Lindy hop. Looking at the techniques that will make your dancing more technically sound and efficient. We will be focus on your partnering and your individual movement. Working with a variety of concepts, steps and yes speeds - from slower Lindy movements to faster social tempos.
This weekend course has been specifically structured to work on you as a dancer.
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Date: 27th and 28th August -
Hanham Community Centre, Bristol.
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Teachers:
Lana Williams (Swing Intensive)
David Zilka (Swing Dance Bristol)
Morning: 2 hrs Solo Jazz,
1 hr lunch
Afternoon: 3 hours partner Lindy Hop
Price:
£99.00 Solo & Partner tracks (10 hrs of class)
£45.00 Solo track (4 hrs of class)
£70.00 Partner Lindy Hop track (6 hrs of class)
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Booking takes place through 'Swing Dance Bristol'. Click the link below to be taken to their website.
" Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances. "
- Maya Angelou.
FAQ
What level should I be to take this course?
Although the course is pitched toward the intermediate and advanced dancer, I always believe that it is your attitude to learning that is the most important feature. Not how long you have been dancing. If you are willing to put in the work we are happy to work with you.
How will you work with different levels of ability?
I enjoy working with mixed levels of ability. I have had over sixteen years teaching experience across many genres teaching a variety mixed level classes.
I teach concepts within movement. Where appropriate I will tier jazz movements according to ability. As long as you are here to focus on your jazz, I can teach you.
What if I struggle to pick up choreography?
Choreography is only one aspect of dance and dance practice. Some of the best natural dancers, I work with professionally, struggle to pick up choreography quickly. This has no bearing on your ability to dance.
What I do to balance this out within a class, is send out any large choreographies in advance, to give those who need extra time to process the steps that opportunity. This means that when we are in the class we can focus on the details of improvement and not just picking up the steps.
Do I need to do both the Solo Jazz and Lindy Hop classes to attend the course?
No. You can book both classes separately. However we encourage you to do both, as we believe this will have the greatest impact on your dancing.
Do i need a partner to book this course?
No. All are welcome. Leads / Follows / Switch dancers / solo and partner bookings.